Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-09-10
THE DORSETT TRIAL.
Walker Did Not Report the Alleged
Misconduct OF the lY0ung DorsetIs,
but Wanted Smith to DO So.
How 1t Came That Number of Barrels
of Flour Were Saved In sixty
Days-The Testimony.

SIXTH DAY.
Special to the Gazette.
AUSTIN, Ten, Sept. 9.-The testimony
for the defense was continued before the
asylum board to-day. The following was
among the statements elected
Mr.. Walker: 81 heard of the McMahon-
Sawyer case, DR.. Dcrsett has not, 10
my knowledge, sustained any employe in
acts of cruelty to patients, He dis
charged w. P. Mckenns, who
was reported to me as having
been rough to sn epileptic patient. re-
ported to DR., Dorsett and he discharged
him. There has been some dissatsfaC-
tion in the place, but it is confined to a
few, principally to those who have testi
fed. Ihave heard Of meetings out here
but don't know what their nature or
object was. l have teen told by Miss
Frank that a petition was circulated out
here asking the appointment of success
sor TO DR.. DOrsett. | have heard that
witnesses who are to testify in this case
have been approached by parties. The
wards are in good sanitary condition.
The sCavenger work has been tff5Ctu5lly
done. I have heard DR.. DorSett say in
playful sort of manner to attendants:
tDo you want to go down to town to
tattle? We can hear more news from
town about the Asylum than we
can hear out here" There is only
one patient here now who is hsbituauy
restrained. There are a good many who
are occasionally put under restraint &C
| Cordirg as their spells come on them.
When their spells 60 off they are given
the freedom of TIE ward. l was never
connected with ar institution of this kind
before. Complaints were made agsinst
Sharp for ineflioienCY."
| Witness on CrOss-eXaminatiCn was
questioned a. some length on the Sharp
and EIhart cGseg, but nothing new w3s
| developed. Witness denied saying to
Mrs. Elhart ''if you were not woman
would break your G-d-d neck. ="
l never swOre to her st all. l told her
husband to make her stop her abuse or
would hold him responsible.
never heard DR.. DOrsett speak disre5pect-
fully to Dr. Davis. I have heard him
! spesk more roughly to him than l would
+! like TO nave him speak to me. l never
heard Dr.. Dorset ssy he wanted 10 set
rid of DR.. Davis. l have heard him say
DR.. Davis was not as efficient as med
zeal man as he would like to have
him be. l don't know tbat Dr..
Dorset, pursued course OF treat
ment towards persons he wants
10 get ria Of that forces them TO leave the
place. I think if DR.. Dorsett had had
the absolute power, ne would have gos-
ten rid Of Mr.. Sharp, MIR, Bull ard OPP
posed, and advised MS retention.
To MI. SmCot-"Dr. DOrsett in re-
| fusing psssee- frequently speaks in play
full manner. never kpew Of his speak
ing Familiarity TO Sharp. l think I heard
! DR.. Dorset tell Elhart he was liable to
be sent to the pen for having a pistol in
| his room. He never told me | YVES liable
to be sent up for having one il my room.
| Mine YVES IL the stOre-room and wss
unloGded, and was sometimes used III
entertainments given here. | was glad
the difficulty with ElharL ended by mis-
getting away. Smith complained to me
| frequently about the misconduct OF DR..
Dorsett'5 children. | told Smith to re
port seine Of the things to Dr.. DorSctt
himself l thought it his duty to report
| directly as well q mine.
MIR. Cestleman remarBing that he did
not attach 50 much Importance to the
Sharp matters Is others dc, asked the
witness SIS to the character of Sharp as
Ill attendent, He lepiIed that he was
about en- average, except thai he was dis
| inclined to over exert himself
4. 2, Bull. 81 an steward and book
keeper Of the asylum. My duties throw
me IN close relation with the superin-
tendent, and l have good opportunities
Of observing the course Of DR.. DOTsett in
the asylum. l know Of no partislity
shown by Aim to attendants and en-
ployes. | have heard them ask for
passes, and he refused. | heard no reason
given, except to one man, to whom the
Doctor said he had been going to town
too often and would have to wait
his time. l don't know that there is any
rule on the subject. It is a matter en-
tirely with the superintendent. | have
heard one or two complains about not
being able to get of. DR.. Dorset deals
with the employees in q strict business
like way. He is q disciplin6rian and
speaks positively, that is his manner.
have heard him speak SO TO employees, off
GERS end outsiders. never heard hin
use any insulting language in my lie.
think Or. Dorsett has treated DR.
Davis with courtesy, I never saw
or heard MIN not 90 so.
did not hear the conversation of which
DR.. Davis complained. have heard Dr.
Dorsett say that DR.. Davis would &C
through the wards and instead OF making
new prescriptions would give the ole
ones; that he never had an original one
: but seemed to think that he ought to give
seidlitZ powders and compound catnartiC
pills and kpsom salts all the time. DR.
Dorset does not seem to have confidence
ia his medical skill and judgment
have seen Moore Dorsett playing wiz
one or two patients, but have seen moth.
, ing harsh or cruel. l hearC
of the boys tying white
- female. patient with strIpg, but d:d no
see il. have never seen Dr.. D,r,e.
: drunk. Have never known him 10 t3ke
drink. l knew OF no refusal TO allow 6,
p attendant to &C to town because tne.
= would tattle, He hes told ne a5Out hear
: ing reports about lhe asylum l cam
here under Dr.. DOrsett's administration
Wss never Cgl1eCted with IN institution
Of fhjs kind before. I hSve kGO7u DR.
Dorset Jour or five years. l vas 20
+ pointed By him, that is the board 81